PBS’ acclaimed documentary series American Masters has launched a new inclusion effort aimed at supporting stories by, for and about disabled communities.
The Visibility, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiative aims to expand American Masters‘ commitment to stories and creatives within the larger disability community, launching with a new series, Renegades, alongside a talent incubator and expanded accessibility features for programming distributed by the series.
“There is a broad and diverse audience hungry for this content,” said Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters. “Thanks to steadfast support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other partners, we look forward to working closely with Day Al-Mohamed and Amanda Upson to expand and deepen our commitment to stories for, by and about people with disabilities.”
Debuting in October 2024, the digital series Renegades will highlight and celebrate the lives of diverse American historical figures with disabilities, with five teams of disabled filmmakers producing, directing and writing the episodes.
The Visibility, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiative aims to expand American Masters‘ commitment to stories and creatives within the larger disability community, launching with a new series, Renegades, alongside a talent incubator and expanded accessibility features for programming distributed by the series.
“There is a broad and diverse audience hungry for this content,” said Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters. “Thanks to steadfast support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other partners, we look forward to working closely with Day Al-Mohamed and Amanda Upson to expand and deepen our commitment to stories for, by and about people with disabilities.”
Debuting in October 2024, the digital series Renegades will highlight and celebrate the lives of diverse American historical figures with disabilities, with five teams of disabled filmmakers producing, directing and writing the episodes.
- 10/25/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sales company also takes on Janis Pugh’s Great 8 selection ‘Chuck Chuck Baby.’
The Yellow Affair has boarded international sales for Mark Leonard Winter’s feature directorial debut The Rooster starring Hugo Weaving (The Lord Of The Rings) and Phoenix Raei (The Night Agent).
When the body of his oldest friend is found buried in a shallow grave, a small-town cop, forms a strange relationship with a volatile hermit who may have been the last person to see his friend alive.
Winter is an acclaimed actor who previously appeared in The Dressmaker, Elvis and Top of the Lake: China Girl.
The Yellow Affair has boarded international sales for Mark Leonard Winter’s feature directorial debut The Rooster starring Hugo Weaving (The Lord Of The Rings) and Phoenix Raei (The Night Agent).
When the body of his oldest friend is found buried in a shallow grave, a small-town cop, forms a strange relationship with a volatile hermit who may have been the last person to see his friend alive.
Winter is an acclaimed actor who previously appeared in The Dressmaker, Elvis and Top of the Lake: China Girl.
- 5/12/2023
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Greenwich Entertainment has picked up all rights excluding TV to the documentary Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV, directed and produced by Amanda Kim, which world premiered in U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
The film will launch its U.S. theatrical release at New York’s Film Form on March 24, being distributed in Canada by Films We Like starting on the same date, ahead of its U.S. broadcast premiere on PBS’ American Masters. Dogwoof acquired UK distribution rights and international sales rights outside of Korea in early January, with a distribution deal and streaming partner for the latter territory to be announced shortly.
The doc tells the story of Nam June Paik, a pillar of the American avant-garde in the 20th century, widely regarded as “The George Washington of Video Art,” who coined the phrase “Electronic Superhighway,” and is arguably the most famous Korean artist in modern history.
The film will launch its U.S. theatrical release at New York’s Film Form on March 24, being distributed in Canada by Films We Like starting on the same date, ahead of its U.S. broadcast premiere on PBS’ American Masters. Dogwoof acquired UK distribution rights and international sales rights outside of Korea in early January, with a distribution deal and streaming partner for the latter territory to be announced shortly.
The doc tells the story of Nam June Paik, a pillar of the American avant-garde in the 20th century, widely regarded as “The George Washington of Video Art,” who coined the phrase “Electronic Superhighway,” and is arguably the most famous Korean artist in modern history.
- 1/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Clickbait’ Star Phoenix Raei & Hugo Weaving Set For Australian Mystery ‘The Rooster’
Phoenix Raei (Clickbait) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix) have been set to star in The Rooster, a mystery-drama written and directed by actor Mark Leonard Winter. The Rooster follows small-town cop Dan (Raei). When the body of his oldest friend is found buried in a shallow grave, Dan seeks answers from a volatile hermit (Weaving), who was the last person to see his friend alive. Principal photography has just been completed on Dja Dja Wurrung country in the region of the Hepburn Shire in Victoria, Australia. Producers are Geraldine Hakewill and MahVeen Shahraki for her company Thousand Mile Productions. Executive producers include Susie Montague-Delaney, Patrick James and Michael Kantor. The film will be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Jonathan Page for Bonsai Films.
BBC Will Never Show Princess Diana Martin Bashir Interview Again, Says Dg
The...
Phoenix Raei (Clickbait) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix) have been set to star in The Rooster, a mystery-drama written and directed by actor Mark Leonard Winter. The Rooster follows small-town cop Dan (Raei). When the body of his oldest friend is found buried in a shallow grave, Dan seeks answers from a volatile hermit (Weaving), who was the last person to see his friend alive. Principal photography has just been completed on Dja Dja Wurrung country in the region of the Hepburn Shire in Victoria, Australia. Producers are Geraldine Hakewill and MahVeen Shahraki for her company Thousand Mile Productions. Executive producers include Susie Montague-Delaney, Patrick James and Michael Kantor. The film will be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Jonathan Page for Bonsai Films.
BBC Will Never Show Princess Diana Martin Bashir Interview Again, Says Dg
The...
- 7/21/2022
- by Max Goldbart and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Rising star Phoenix Raei joins Hugo Weaving as the lead of “The Rooster,” an Australian mystery drama film in which a small-town cop discovers the dead body of his best friend.
The film, which has just completed principal photography in Victoria state, is directed by actor Mark Leonard Winter (“Escape From Pretoria”), making his debut as a feature director.
As performers, Weaving and Winter have previously appeared together in “Measure for Measure” and “The Dressmaker.”
Raei, who has recent credits in “Clickbait,” “Stateless” and “The Night Agent,” stars in “The Rooster” as the cop who confronts Weaving’s volatile character, a forest-dwelling hermit who was the last person known to have seen his pal.
Other cast include: Helen Thomson, Rhys Mitchell, Bert La Bonte, John Waters, Camilla Ah Kin, Robert Menzies and Deirdre Rubenstein.
“ ‘The Rooster’ is a gripping story about friendship and how hope can come from unlikely places.
The film, which has just completed principal photography in Victoria state, is directed by actor Mark Leonard Winter (“Escape From Pretoria”), making his debut as a feature director.
As performers, Weaving and Winter have previously appeared together in “Measure for Measure” and “The Dressmaker.”
Raei, who has recent credits in “Clickbait,” “Stateless” and “The Night Agent,” stars in “The Rooster” as the cop who confronts Weaving’s volatile character, a forest-dwelling hermit who was the last person known to have seen his pal.
Other cast include: Helen Thomson, Rhys Mitchell, Bert La Bonte, John Waters, Camilla Ah Kin, Robert Menzies and Deirdre Rubenstein.
“ ‘The Rooster’ is a gripping story about friendship and how hope can come from unlikely places.
- 7/20/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The International Documentary Association has announced nominations for its 37th annual awards, with “Summer of Soul” picking up four noms and “Not Going Quietly” nabbing three.
Winners will be announced Feb. 5 at the awards ceremony at Paramount Studios.
“Summer of Soul,” Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s look at 1969’s Harlem Cultural Festival, picked up nominations for Thompson for director in addition to best feature, best music doc and best editing. “Not Going Quietly,” about healthcare activist Ady Barkan, received noms for Nicholas Bruckman for best director along with best feature and best writing.
IDA members may vote online for the best feature and best short categories starting Dec. 13.
PBS earned 14 nominations, followed by Netflix and Hulu with seven nominations each and HBO with six. This year’s submissions included 314 documentary features, 137 shorts, 172 series, 54 student films, 29 music docs and 41 audio documentaries or podcasts.
Here’s the full list of 2021 nominees:
Best Feature...
Winners will be announced Feb. 5 at the awards ceremony at Paramount Studios.
“Summer of Soul,” Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s look at 1969’s Harlem Cultural Festival, picked up nominations for Thompson for director in addition to best feature, best music doc and best editing. “Not Going Quietly,” about healthcare activist Ady Barkan, received noms for Nicholas Bruckman for best director along with best feature and best writing.
IDA members may vote online for the best feature and best short categories starting Dec. 13.
PBS earned 14 nominations, followed by Netflix and Hulu with seven nominations each and HBO with six. This year’s submissions included 314 documentary features, 137 shorts, 172 series, 54 student films, 29 music docs and 41 audio documentaries or podcasts.
Here’s the full list of 2021 nominees:
Best Feature...
- 11/15/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
“All of us know a great deal about their music and the culture and the fashion and the films. But I didn’t realize how really groundbreaking they were in terms of their careers,” explains Dr. Mehret Mandefro, who is Emmy-nominated for Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series for the “American Masters” documentary “How it Feels to Be Free”; she produced it along with Michael Kantor, Lacey Schwartz Delgado, Elliott Halpern, Elizabeth Trojian, Julie Sacks and Grammy winner Alicia Keys. Based on the book of the same name by Ruth Feldstein, the film chronicles the art and activism of Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Pam Grier, Abbey Lincoln, Diahann Carroll and Cicely Tyson. Watch our exclusive video interview with Mandefro above.
SEESee chats with 5 Emmy-nominated TV showrunners: ‘The Boys,’ ‘Black-ish,’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked,’ ‘Mahalia,’ ‘Black Lady Sketch Show’
The six artists profiled in the film represent the progress made by...
SEESee chats with 5 Emmy-nominated TV showrunners: ‘The Boys,’ ‘Black-ish,’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked,’ ‘Mahalia,’ ‘Black Lady Sketch Show’
The six artists profiled in the film represent the progress made by...
- 8/13/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
As she prepares for her upcoming 90th birthday, actress Rita Moreno can look forward to the release of Steven Spielberg’s highly-anticipated take on West Side Story, in which she plays a significant role, and to the PBS debut of a new documentary about her life.
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, will premiere as part of the pubcaster’s Emmy-winning American Masters series on Tuesday, October 5. With startling candor, Moreno explores every aspect of her career as a Puerto Rican immigrant to America possessed of extraordinary ability to sing, dance and act and a burning desire for stardom. But as a young woman of color, she was generally cast as random “ethnic” types in “accent” roles—playing Thai, Polynesian, Native American, generic Latina, often with makeup smeared on to darken her skin.
Speaking about the documentary at the PBS TCA presentation Thursday,...
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, will premiere as part of the pubcaster’s Emmy-winning American Masters series on Tuesday, October 5. With startling candor, Moreno explores every aspect of her career as a Puerto Rican immigrant to America possessed of extraordinary ability to sing, dance and act and a burning desire for stardom. But as a young woman of color, she was generally cast as random “ethnic” types in “accent” roles—playing Thai, Polynesian, Native American, generic Latina, often with makeup smeared on to darken her skin.
Speaking about the documentary at the PBS TCA presentation Thursday,...
- 8/12/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood icon Rita Moreno went for it — and the message is loud and clear.
Speaking to an audience at the Tribeca Festival 2021 premiere of her new uninhibited documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,’ the legendary Egot winner boldly said about the filming, “I made a promise to myself that I would be exceedingly truthful. I thought that was important… There isn’t one iota of bullshit.”
At one of the world’s first in-person film festivals in over a year, Moreno had the audience thundering with applause during a two-minute ovation. The trailblazer then took the stage for a candid panel discussion as the sun set over the outdoor Hudson River theater at Pier 76.
The very personal documentary about Moreno’s storied life is the new crowning achievement taking a front place on her trophy mantle.
“This is the dream,” she told Variety earlier...
Speaking to an audience at the Tribeca Festival 2021 premiere of her new uninhibited documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,’ the legendary Egot winner boldly said about the filming, “I made a promise to myself that I would be exceedingly truthful. I thought that was important… There isn’t one iota of bullshit.”
At one of the world’s first in-person film festivals in over a year, Moreno had the audience thundering with applause during a two-minute ovation. The trailblazer then took the stage for a candid panel discussion as the sun set over the outdoor Hudson River theater at Pier 76.
The very personal documentary about Moreno’s storied life is the new crowning achievement taking a front place on her trophy mantle.
“This is the dream,” she told Variety earlier...
- 6/15/2021
- by Elizabeth Taylor
- Variety Film + TV
The story of Rita Moreno’s triumphant career is coming to theaters this summer.
Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has acquired the rights to “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” It will debut in theaters on June 18.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience, and the heights she continues to achieve are a true crowd pleasing uplift after the year we’ve all had,” said Roadside Attractions co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
On behalf of the filmmakers, Matt Burke and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment negotiated the deal with Cohen and Angel An, Roadside Attractions’ senior director of acquisitions. PBS’ “American Masters” still holds a TV license for the documentary and will present the U.S. broadcast premiere after a broad theatrical release.
Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has acquired the rights to “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” It will debut in theaters on June 18.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience, and the heights she continues to achieve are a true crowd pleasing uplift after the year we’ve all had,” said Roadside Attractions co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
On behalf of the filmmakers, Matt Burke and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment negotiated the deal with Cohen and Angel An, Roadside Attractions’ senior director of acquisitions. PBS’ “American Masters” still holds a TV license for the documentary and will present the U.S. broadcast premiere after a broad theatrical release.
- 3/29/2021
- by Haley Bosselman
- Variety Film + TV
“Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It” has sold to Roadside Attractions two months after its debut at Sundance, the distributor announced on Monday.
The documentary film covers painful subjects from Moreno’s past, including a sexual assault by her agent, and the heartbreak of her relationship with Marlon Brando. Moreno is an Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress for playing Anita in 1961’s “West Side Story” as well as a rare Egot winner for additional work on TV, theater and music.
Mariem Perez Riera directed, and Brent Miller and Riera produced the documentary, while Michael Kantor, Lyn Davis Lear, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Regina K. Scully executive produced. Ilia J. Vélez-Dávila co-produced.
Others featured in the documentary include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The documentary film covers painful subjects from Moreno’s past, including a sexual assault by her agent, and the heartbreak of her relationship with Marlon Brando. Moreno is an Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress for playing Anita in 1961’s “West Side Story” as well as a rare Egot winner for additional work on TV, theater and music.
Mariem Perez Riera directed, and Brent Miller and Riera produced the documentary, while Michael Kantor, Lyn Davis Lear, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Regina K. Scully executive produced. Ilia J. Vélez-Dávila co-produced.
Others featured in the documentary include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
- 3/29/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Roadside Attractions has acquired North American distribution rights on the 2021 Sundance Film Festival documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
A release is planned for June 18. Roadside’s deal excludes the TV license to PBS’ American Masters, which will present the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of the docu after it hits theaters.
In addition to Moreno, others featured in the Mariem Pérez Riera-directed doc include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The docu covers Moreno’s 70-year-plus career rise and struggles, from her beginnings in poverty on a Puerto Rican farm to becoming a rare Egot winner. She’s the first Latina actress to win an Oscar (for her role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story). Despite the win, studios continued...
A release is planned for June 18. Roadside’s deal excludes the TV license to PBS’ American Masters, which will present the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of the docu after it hits theaters.
In addition to Moreno, others featured in the Mariem Pérez Riera-directed doc include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The docu covers Moreno’s 70-year-plus career rise and struggles, from her beginnings in poverty on a Puerto Rican farm to becoming a rare Egot winner. She’s the first Latina actress to win an Oscar (for her role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story). Despite the win, studios continued...
- 3/29/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon has made its second acquisition of the Sundance Film Festival with Jamila Wignot’s Ailey, about dance legend Alvin Ailey.
The film debuted at the festival yesterday in the U.S. Documentary Competition section. The documentary explores Ailey’s life and his connection to the present dance company that bears his name with never-before-heard audio interviews recorded in the last year of his life and rare dance performances by the Ailey Company. Ailey found salvation through dance and he pioneered choreography centering on African American experiences. He endured racism and homophobia; addiction and mental illness.
Darcy Heusel, Neon’s Head of Impact and Audience Engagement, remarked “Ailey is a searing and inspirational account of a visionary artistic genius who used his gift of dance and movement to express the Black American experience. Jamila Wignot has created an indelible portrait of both the artist and his work and Neon is...
The film debuted at the festival yesterday in the U.S. Documentary Competition section. The documentary explores Ailey’s life and his connection to the present dance company that bears his name with never-before-heard audio interviews recorded in the last year of his life and rare dance performances by the Ailey Company. Ailey found salvation through dance and he pioneered choreography centering on African American experiences. He endured racism and homophobia; addiction and mental illness.
Darcy Heusel, Neon’s Head of Impact and Audience Engagement, remarked “Ailey is a searing and inspirational account of a visionary artistic genius who used his gift of dance and movement to express the Black American experience. Jamila Wignot has created an indelible portrait of both the artist and his work and Neon is...
- 2/1/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon has acquired its second film out of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival: Jamila Wignot’s “Ailey,” about dance legend Alvin Ailey.
The film, which debuted at the festival on Saturday to critical acclaim, includes never-before-heard audio interviews recorded in the last year of his life, with rare dance performances by the Ailey Company.
Ailey was a visionary artist who founded one of the world’s most renowned dance companies — the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — at age 27.
“Ailey is a searing and inspirational account of a visionary artistic genius who used his gift of dance and movement to express the Black American experience,” Darcy Heusel, Neon’s head of impact and audience engagement, said in a statement. “Jamila Wignot has created an indelible portrait of both the artist and his work and Neon is thrilled to be part of continuing his legacy by bringing this remarkable film to theaters across the country.
The film, which debuted at the festival on Saturday to critical acclaim, includes never-before-heard audio interviews recorded in the last year of his life, with rare dance performances by the Ailey Company.
Ailey was a visionary artist who founded one of the world’s most renowned dance companies — the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — at age 27.
“Ailey is a searing and inspirational account of a visionary artistic genius who used his gift of dance and movement to express the Black American experience,” Darcy Heusel, Neon’s head of impact and audience engagement, said in a statement. “Jamila Wignot has created an indelible portrait of both the artist and his work and Neon is thrilled to be part of continuing his legacy by bringing this remarkable film to theaters across the country.
- 2/1/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
“Crip Camp” leads all films in nominations for the 36th annual IDA Documentary Awards, the International Documentary Association announced on Tuesday.
The film by directors Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht deals with a New York summer camp in the early 1970s that became a key launching pad for the disability rights movement. It was an opening-night film at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it won the documentary audience award.
“Crip Camp” received five IDA doc awards nominations, including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Editing and Best Writing. Four films received three nominations each: Sam Pollard’s “MLK/FBI,” Garrett Bradley’s “Time,” Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw’s “The Truffle Hunters” and Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed’s “My Octopus Teacher,” the only film whose three nominations did not include the Best Feature category.
Other Best Feature nominees are “Collective,” “Gunda,” “The Reason I Jump,” “Reunited,” “Softie” and “Welcome to Chechnya.
The film by directors Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht deals with a New York summer camp in the early 1970s that became a key launching pad for the disability rights movement. It was an opening-night film at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it won the documentary audience award.
“Crip Camp” received five IDA doc awards nominations, including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Editing and Best Writing. Four films received three nominations each: Sam Pollard’s “MLK/FBI,” Garrett Bradley’s “Time,” Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw’s “The Truffle Hunters” and Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed’s “My Octopus Teacher,” the only film whose three nominations did not include the Best Feature category.
Other Best Feature nominees are “Collective,” “Gunda,” “The Reason I Jump,” “Reunited,” “Softie” and “Welcome to Chechnya.
- 11/24/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Leading the International Documentary Association Documentary Awards nominees with five nominations is “Crip Camp,” Netflix’s look back at an influential activist summer camp for the disabled, followed by Garrett Bradley’s poetic black-and-white “Time” (Amazon Studios) and Sam Pollard’s 60s archival dive “MLK/FBI” (IFC Films) with four noms each.
“The Truffle Hunters” (Sony Pictures Classics) scored three nods. All four films landed nods for Best Feature and Director, along with Jerry Rothwell’s “The Reason I Jump.” Netflix also landed multiple nominations for “Dick Johnson Is Dead” And “My Octopus Teacher.”
The IDAs are among the most reliable bellwethers of the Oscar documentary feature race. Last year’s IDA Best Feature winner, “For Sama,” was among the final five Oscar nominees, along with three out of 10 IDA nominees, including eventual Oscar-winner “American Factory.”
Starting December 7, IDA members are invited to vote online for Best Feature and Best...
“The Truffle Hunters” (Sony Pictures Classics) scored three nods. All four films landed nods for Best Feature and Director, along with Jerry Rothwell’s “The Reason I Jump.” Netflix also landed multiple nominations for “Dick Johnson Is Dead” And “My Octopus Teacher.”
The IDAs are among the most reliable bellwethers of the Oscar documentary feature race. Last year’s IDA Best Feature winner, “For Sama,” was among the final five Oscar nominees, along with three out of 10 IDA nominees, including eventual Oscar-winner “American Factory.”
Starting December 7, IDA members are invited to vote online for Best Feature and Best...
- 11/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Leading the International Documentary Association Documentary Awards nominees with five nominations is “Crip Camp,” Netflix’s look back at an influential activist summer camp for the disabled, followed by Garrett Bradley’s poetic black-and-white “Time” (Amazon Studios) and Sam Pollard’s 60s archival dive “MLK/FBI” (IFC Films) with four noms each.
“The Truffle Hunters” (Sony Pictures Classics) scored three nods. All four films landed nods for Best Feature and Director, along with Jerry Rothwell’s “The Reason I Jump.” Netflix also landed multiple nominations for “Dick Johnson Is Dead” And “My Octopus Teacher.”
The IDAs are among the most reliable bellwethers of the Oscar documentary feature race. Last year’s IDA Best Feature winner, “For Sama,” was among the final five Oscar nominees, along with three out of 10 IDA nominees, including eventual Oscar-winner “American Factory.”
Starting December 7, IDA members are invited to vote online for Best Feature and Best...
“The Truffle Hunters” (Sony Pictures Classics) scored three nods. All four films landed nods for Best Feature and Director, along with Jerry Rothwell’s “The Reason I Jump.” Netflix also landed multiple nominations for “Dick Johnson Is Dead” And “My Octopus Teacher.”
The IDAs are among the most reliable bellwethers of the Oscar documentary feature race. Last year’s IDA Best Feature winner, “For Sama,” was among the final five Oscar nominees, along with three out of 10 IDA nominees, including eventual Oscar-winner “American Factory.”
Starting December 7, IDA members are invited to vote online for Best Feature and Best...
- 11/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Popstar Alicia Keys is to exec produce a feature-length documentary about six iconic African American female entertainers for PBS.
American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free will tell the story of Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier and how they challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.
The doc, which will air in early 2021 on PBS and the Documentary Channel in Canada, features interviews and archival performances with all six women, as well as original conversations with artists influenced by them, including Keys, Halle Berry, Lena Waithe, Meagan Good, Latanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as family members, including Horne’s daughter Gail Lumet Buckley.
It is based on the book How It Feels To Be Free: Black Women Entertainers and the Civil Rights Movement by Ruth Feldstein.
American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free will tell the story of Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier and how they challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.
The doc, which will air in early 2021 on PBS and the Documentary Channel in Canada, features interviews and archival performances with all six women, as well as original conversations with artists influenced by them, including Keys, Halle Berry, Lena Waithe, Meagan Good, Latanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as family members, including Horne’s daughter Gail Lumet Buckley.
It is based on the book How It Feels To Be Free: Black Women Entertainers and the Civil Rights Movement by Ruth Feldstein.
- 7/28/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Oliver Sacks: His Own Life, the Ric Burns documentary about the famed neurologist and author that the premiered this fall at the Telluride Film Festival, has been acquired by Zeitgeist Films in association with Kino Lorber. As part of the U.S. rights deal, the pic will open theatrically in May 2020 at Film Forum in New York, followed by a national rollout.
The documentary, which counts American Masters Pictures among its producers, will have its exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere in 2021 on PBS’ American Masters series.
Burns explores Sacks’ life and work as the renowned thinker shares details of his battles with drug addiction, homophobia, and a medical establishment that accepted his work only decades after the fact. It features exclusive interviews with Sacks done just weeks after he received a terminal cancer diagnosis, and months prior to his death in August 2015.
“We were very impressed by the sensitivity...
The documentary, which counts American Masters Pictures among its producers, will have its exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere in 2021 on PBS’ American Masters series.
Burns explores Sacks’ life and work as the renowned thinker shares details of his battles with drug addiction, homophobia, and a medical establishment that accepted his work only decades after the fact. It features exclusive interviews with Sacks done just weeks after he received a terminal cancer diagnosis, and months prior to his death in August 2015.
“We were very impressed by the sensitivity...
- 12/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The nominations are out for the 35th annual Ida Documentary Awards. Ten films are vying for the Best Feature nod, and the group has added a Best Director category for the first time — and all of those nominees are women.
One of the female helmers, For Sama director-producer Waad Al-Kataeb, is set to receive the Courage Under Fire Award. That honor is presented to documentarians displaying conspicuous bravery in the pursuit of truth.
“Back in Aleppo, I had no option but to fight the fears and horrors of this war through filming my experience both as a mother and as a female filmmaker,” Al-Kataeb said.
Read the full list of noms below.
“The Ida Documentary Awards recognizes excellence in nonfiction storytelling across a range of forms, and all of this year’s nominees and winners illustrate that documentary storytelling is one of the most vital art forms today,” said Simon Kilmurry,...
One of the female helmers, For Sama director-producer Waad Al-Kataeb, is set to receive the Courage Under Fire Award. That honor is presented to documentarians displaying conspicuous bravery in the pursuit of truth.
“Back in Aleppo, I had no option but to fight the fears and horrors of this war through filming my experience both as a mother and as a female filmmaker,” Al-Kataeb said.
Read the full list of noms below.
“The Ida Documentary Awards recognizes excellence in nonfiction storytelling across a range of forms, and all of this year’s nominees and winners illustrate that documentary storytelling is one of the most vital art forms today,” said Simon Kilmurry,...
- 10/23/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Norman Lear and Lin-Manuel Miranda have partnered on a new doc exploring the life of West Side Story and One Day At A Time star Rita Moreno.
The pair are working up Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It (w/t) for PBS and its Thirteen strand. The film, which will premiere in 2020, will explore the Puerto Rican actor’s 70 year career and will feature interviews with Moreno, Lear, Miranda, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally and Chita Rivera.
It is produced by Norman Lear’s Act III Productions in association with Maramara and executive producer Miranda.
It will explore how she went from being born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, she immigrated to New York City and became the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in West Side Story.
The pair are working up Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It (w/t) for PBS and its Thirteen strand. The film, which will premiere in 2020, will explore the Puerto Rican actor’s 70 year career and will feature interviews with Moreno, Lear, Miranda, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally and Chita Rivera.
It is produced by Norman Lear’s Act III Productions in association with Maramara and executive producer Miranda.
It will explore how she went from being born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, she immigrated to New York City and became the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in West Side Story.
- 7/29/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Doc about first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for literature premiered at Sundance.
Magnolia Pictures has swooped on North American rights to Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ documentary and recent Sundance world premiere Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.
The film explores the life and works of the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for literature, from her childhood growing up in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio, to 1970s-era book tours with Muhammed Ali, to the front lines with activist Angela Davis, to her own riverfront writing room.
Greenfield-Sanders interviews Hilton Als, Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley, Sonia Sanchez,...
Magnolia Pictures has swooped on North American rights to Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ documentary and recent Sundance world premiere Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.
The film explores the life and works of the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for literature, from her childhood growing up in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio, to 1970s-era book tours with Muhammed Ali, to the front lines with activist Angela Davis, to her own riverfront writing room.
Greenfield-Sanders interviews Hilton Als, Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley, Sonia Sanchez,...
- 2/13/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Magnolia Pictures announced on Tuesday that it has landed North American rights to Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ uplifting documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.”
The documentary, about the legendary storyteller, who was the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize, premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the acclaimed novelist. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to ’70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition as seen through the prism of her own literature. Inspired to write because no one took a “little black girl” seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative.
The documentary, about the legendary storyteller, who was the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize, premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the acclaimed novelist. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to ’70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition as seen through the prism of her own literature. Inspired to write because no one took a “little black girl” seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative.
- 2/13/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, an uplifting documentary chronicling the vibrant life and compelling works of the legendary storyteller who in 1993 became the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize.
In addition to Nobel Laureate Morrison, the film features conversations with Hilton Als, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley and Sonia Sanchez, as well as Oprah Winfrey, who adapted Morrison’s 1987 novel Beloved into a 1998 feature film directed by the late Jonathan Demme.
Magnolia is aiming for a theatrical release before year’s end. The Pieces I Am, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, will stream on Hulu. The film will make its exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere in late 2020 on PBS as part of the American Masters series.
The documentary acquisition...
In addition to Nobel Laureate Morrison, the film features conversations with Hilton Als, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley and Sonia Sanchez, as well as Oprah Winfrey, who adapted Morrison’s 1987 novel Beloved into a 1998 feature film directed by the late Jonathan Demme.
Magnolia is aiming for a theatrical release before year’s end. The Pieces I Am, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, will stream on Hulu. The film will make its exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere in late 2020 on PBS as part of the American Masters series.
The documentary acquisition...
- 2/13/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Documentary Assn. announced nominees for the 34th annual Ida Awards Wednesday, spotlighting the best in documentary filmmaking.
Among the feature nominees were mainstays on the circuit so far this year like Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap,” as well as National Geographic’s “Free Solo” and Focus Features’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In recognition of another banner year for non-fiction cinema, which has been reflected in box office spikes around key titles this year, the Ida expanded the number of nominees in the best feature and short films categories to 10 films.
In “creative recognition” fields, winners and nominees were announced. “Distant Constellation” won the cinematography prize, while “Minding the Gap” took editing. “The Other Side of Everything” won the writing award, and the music category saw a tie, between “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.”
Additionally, the Ida’s Courage Under...
Among the feature nominees were mainstays on the circuit so far this year like Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap,” as well as National Geographic’s “Free Solo” and Focus Features’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In recognition of another banner year for non-fiction cinema, which has been reflected in box office spikes around key titles this year, the Ida expanded the number of nominees in the best feature and short films categories to 10 films.
In “creative recognition” fields, winners and nominees were announced. “Distant Constellation” won the cinematography prize, while “Minding the Gap” took editing. “The Other Side of Everything” won the writing award, and the music category saw a tie, between “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.”
Additionally, the Ida’s Courage Under...
- 10/24/2018
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
The International Documentary Association is out with the nominees for its 2018 Ida Documentary Awards. Winners of the 34th edition will be announced December 8 duyring a ceremony hosted by Ricki Lake at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. See the full list of nominees below.
Up for Best Feature — which has been expanded to 10 nominees this year — are Stephen Maing’s Crime + Punishment, Kimberly Reed’s Dark Money, E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Free Solo, RaMell Ross’ Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Bing Liu’s Minding the Gap, Talal Derki’s Of Fathers and Sons, Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett’s Sky and Ground, Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar’s The Silence of Others, Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s United Skates and Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
“This year’s nominees and winners of the Ida Awards reflects that 2018 has been a remarkable...
Up for Best Feature — which has been expanded to 10 nominees this year — are Stephen Maing’s Crime + Punishment, Kimberly Reed’s Dark Money, E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Free Solo, RaMell Ross’ Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Bing Liu’s Minding the Gap, Talal Derki’s Of Fathers and Sons, Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett’s Sky and Ground, Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar’s The Silence of Others, Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s United Skates and Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
“This year’s nominees and winners of the Ida Awards reflects that 2018 has been a remarkable...
- 10/24/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
To mark the release of Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story on 23rd April, we’ve been given 3 copies to give away on DVD.
As famous for her performances as she was infamous for her multiple marriages and affairs with the likes of Spencer Tracy and JFK, Hedy Lamarr was enigmatic. There was substance behind the beauty, though; a side to her far more interesting than the spotlight of stardom. She was a maverick, an ingenious inventor whose pioneering work helped revolutionise modern communication. Her groundbreaking concept of frequency hopping is now used as the basis for secure Wi-Fi, Gps and Bluetooth. We have far more than beautifully poised performances to thank her for.
Produced by Academy Award® winning Susan Sarandon, as well as Michael Kantor and Regina Scully, Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story finally gives Hedy the voice denied to her by Hollywood. In 2016, director Alexandra Dean and producer Adam Haggiag...
As famous for her performances as she was infamous for her multiple marriages and affairs with the likes of Spencer Tracy and JFK, Hedy Lamarr was enigmatic. There was substance behind the beauty, though; a side to her far more interesting than the spotlight of stardom. She was a maverick, an ingenious inventor whose pioneering work helped revolutionise modern communication. Her groundbreaking concept of frequency hopping is now used as the basis for secure Wi-Fi, Gps and Bluetooth. We have far more than beautifully poised performances to thank her for.
Produced by Academy Award® winning Susan Sarandon, as well as Michael Kantor and Regina Scully, Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story finally gives Hedy the voice denied to her by Hollywood. In 2016, director Alexandra Dean and producer Adam Haggiag...
- 4/18/2018
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Newly formed indie distributor Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Itzhak, Alison Chernick’s documentary about violinist Itzhak Perlman.
The film, which screened as the opening night film at the Hamptons International Film Festival and also played Doc NYC and the Palm Springs Film Festival, will be released theatrically beginning May 9 in New York and will be broadcast on PBS’ American Masters in October as part of their National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Itzhak was produced by Chernick and executive produced by Michael Kantor and Penny Lieberman.
New York-based Greenwich was launched in September...
The film, which screened as the opening night film at the Hamptons International Film Festival and also played Doc NYC and the Palm Springs Film Festival, will be released theatrically beginning May 9 in New York and will be broadcast on PBS’ American Masters in October as part of their National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Itzhak was produced by Chernick and executive produced by Michael Kantor and Penny Lieberman.
New York-based Greenwich was launched in September...
- 1/18/2018
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alexandra Dean on Diane Kruger in Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story: "She reads Hedy's letters … I was thrilled." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
On New York's Upper West Side, Alexandra Dean, the director of Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, met with me for a conversation on the movie star who was lauded in the Thirties and Forties as the most beautiful woman in the world. In her revelatory documentary, executive produced by Susan Sarandon, Regina Kulik Scully and Michael Kantor, a highlight of this year's Tribeca Film Festival, we see a person who was much more than a pretty face.
Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Kiesler in 1914, grew up in an assimilated Jewish family in Vienna. Her swim in the nude in Gustav Machatý's 1933 film Ecstasy (Ekstase) made even the American press notice the young actress. "She goes through her role thoroughly, her facial expressions are most expressive and the lack...
On New York's Upper West Side, Alexandra Dean, the director of Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, met with me for a conversation on the movie star who was lauded in the Thirties and Forties as the most beautiful woman in the world. In her revelatory documentary, executive produced by Susan Sarandon, Regina Kulik Scully and Michael Kantor, a highlight of this year's Tribeca Film Festival, we see a person who was much more than a pretty face.
Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Kiesler in 1914, grew up in an assimilated Jewish family in Vienna. Her swim in the nude in Gustav Machatý's 1933 film Ecstasy (Ekstase) made even the American press notice the young actress. "She goes through her role thoroughly, her facial expressions are most expressive and the lack...
- 12/6/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Premiering at Tiff 2017, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me is the first major film documentary to examine Davis’ vast talent and his journey for identity through the shifting tides of civil rights and racial progress during 20th-century America.
Today Sammy Davis is seen primarily as part of The Rat Pack. That quartet of bad boys who sing and joke around is very much a part of time when Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were the kings of the Las Vegas scene.
But Sammy Davis Jr. was much more than that and merely by lending his black face to that group makes The Rat Pack seem like a liberal if slightly dissolute, but a filled-with-fun group. In truth, his position with Sinatra, Martin, Peter Lawford was not all that comfortable and the path Davis had already trod before landing there was not a simple or easy one.
He...
Today Sammy Davis is seen primarily as part of The Rat Pack. That quartet of bad boys who sing and joke around is very much a part of time when Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were the kings of the Las Vegas scene.
But Sammy Davis Jr. was much more than that and merely by lending his black face to that group makes The Rat Pack seem like a liberal if slightly dissolute, but a filled-with-fun group. In truth, his position with Sinatra, Martin, Peter Lawford was not all that comfortable and the path Davis had already trod before landing there was not a simple or easy one.
He...
- 10/20/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Norman Lear- Just Another Version of You
By Eddy Friedeld
The first two people in my life who taught me to think deeply about social and political issues and argue cogently and passionately for what I believed in were my late father David and Norman Lear.
Lear, the 94-year-old entertainment icon is the subject of a terrific American Masters documentary: Norman Lear- Just Another Version of You, which premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS.
Speaking from his home in Los Angeles about both the documentary and his masterful 2014 autobiography, Even This I Get to Experience, he still has an energy level that would put people a quarter of his age to shame.
“People think when you’re over 90 you’ve changed. It’s everyone else who’s changed. Suddenly I’m extremely wise,” Lear says. Charming and reflective, he explains why he wears the...
By Eddy Friedeld
The first two people in my life who taught me to think deeply about social and political issues and argue cogently and passionately for what I believed in were my late father David and Norman Lear.
Lear, the 94-year-old entertainment icon is the subject of a terrific American Masters documentary: Norman Lear- Just Another Version of You, which premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS.
Speaking from his home in Los Angeles about both the documentary and his masterful 2014 autobiography, Even This I Get to Experience, he still has an energy level that would put people a quarter of his age to shame.
“People think when you’re over 90 you’ve changed. It’s everyone else who’s changed. Suddenly I’m extremely wise,” Lear says. Charming and reflective, he explains why he wears the...
- 10/21/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Wnet Launches First Theatrical Imprint, Will Release Docs on Maya Angelou, Sammy Davis, Jr., More...
Today at the Sundance Film Festival, Wnet, parent company of New York's public television stations Thirteen and WLIW21 and operator of Njtv, announced the launch of its first theatrical imprint, American Masters Pictures, for documentaries co-produced by the American Masters series, executive produced by Michael Kantor. The first three films under the banner have their world premieres at Sundance: Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack's "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise" (January 26), Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You" (Day One), and Louis Black and Karen Bernstein's "Richard Linklater – Dream is...
- 1/23/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It’s been a couple months since the last edition of What’s Up Doc? placed Michael Moore’s surprise world premiere of Where To Invade Next at the top of this list and in the meantime much shuffling has taken place and much time has been spent on various new endeavors (namely my Buffalo-based film series, Cultivate Cinema Circle). Finally taking its rightful place at the top, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hagedus’ Unlocking the Cage is in the midst of being scored by composer James Lavino, according to Lavino’s own personal site. Though the project has been taking shape at its own leisurely pace, I’d expect to see the film making its festival debut in early 2016.
Right behind, the American direct cinema masters is a Texan soon to make his non-fiction debut with Voyage of Time. Just two weeks ago indieWIRE reported that Ennio Morricone, who scored...
Right behind, the American direct cinema masters is a Texan soon to make his non-fiction debut with Voyage of Time. Just two weeks ago indieWIRE reported that Ennio Morricone, who scored...
- 11/5/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Dir/scr. Amy J Berg. Us, 2015, 103 mins.
Three decades before Amy Winehouse there was Janis Joplin, another dynamic, feisty, bluesy female vocalist whose life came to a tragic end at the rock world’s unlucky age - 27. A different Amy – documentary-maker Berg – pays joyous, moving tribute in this feature-length film to the girl from Port Arthur, Texas, whose breakout performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival ushered in a short but intense three-year period of rock fame before her death from a heroin overdose in October 1970.
If there’s one thing Janis: Little Girl Blue conveys brilliantly it’s the exuberant love for life and sense of fun that emanated from every pore of this snub-nosed singer.
Co-produced by PBS’ long-running American Masters series, Janis: Little Girl Blue is a classic rock documentary, told using a conventional but well-sifted mix of present-day and archive interviews with performance and backstage footage. It’s a good...
Three decades before Amy Winehouse there was Janis Joplin, another dynamic, feisty, bluesy female vocalist whose life came to a tragic end at the rock world’s unlucky age - 27. A different Amy – documentary-maker Berg – pays joyous, moving tribute in this feature-length film to the girl from Port Arthur, Texas, whose breakout performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival ushered in a short but intense three-year period of rock fame before her death from a heroin overdose in October 1970.
If there’s one thing Janis: Little Girl Blue conveys brilliantly it’s the exuberant love for life and sense of fun that emanated from every pore of this snub-nosed singer.
Co-produced by PBS’ long-running American Masters series, Janis: Little Girl Blue is a classic rock documentary, told using a conventional but well-sifted mix of present-day and archive interviews with performance and backstage footage. It’s a good...
- 9/6/2015
- ScreenDaily
The musician also known as Chan Marshall has boarded Janis ahead of the film’s out-of-competition world premiere in Venice. Content holds worldwide rights.
According to a press release Amy Berg’s documentary examines the “raw, sensitive, innocent, uncensored and powerful woman behind the legend”.
Marshall’s voice will help bring Joplin to life through her letters to family and lovers.
The Joplin Estate has supported the production and the soundtrack will feature hits like ‘Cry Baby’, ‘Summertime’ and ‘Piece Of My Heart’.
Alex Gibney produced Joplin via his Jigsaw Productions with Berg and Jeff Jampol from Jam, Inc. Susan Lacy, Michael Kantor, Noah Haeussner, Michael Raimondi and Stacey Offman serve as executive producers.
Disarming Films, Jigsaw Productions and Thirteen Productions LLC’s ‘American Masters’ co-produced in association with Sony Music Entertainment and Union Entertainment Group.
According to a press release Amy Berg’s documentary examines the “raw, sensitive, innocent, uncensored and powerful woman behind the legend”.
Marshall’s voice will help bring Joplin to life through her letters to family and lovers.
The Joplin Estate has supported the production and the soundtrack will feature hits like ‘Cry Baby’, ‘Summertime’ and ‘Piece Of My Heart’.
Alex Gibney produced Joplin via his Jigsaw Productions with Berg and Jeff Jampol from Jam, Inc. Susan Lacy, Michael Kantor, Noah Haeussner, Michael Raimondi and Stacey Offman serve as executive producers.
Disarming Films, Jigsaw Productions and Thirteen Productions LLC’s ‘American Masters’ co-produced in association with Sony Music Entertainment and Union Entertainment Group.
- 7/29/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Content to begin sales at Cannes on Amy Berg’s Janis Joplin documentary, produced by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney.
Content Film has secured worldwide sales to Amy Berg’s upcoming Janis Joplin documentary and will introducing the film to buyers at the Cannes market this month.
Berg, who has made feature documentaries including Deliver Us From Evil and West of Memphis, will direct and produce Janis: Little Girl Blue.
Alex Gibney, the Oscar-winning director of Taxi to the Dark Side and The Armstrong Lie, is producing under his Jigsaw Productions banner with Jeff Jampol from Jam, Inc. Billy McMillin is editing.
Currently in production, the documentary aims to strip away Joplin’s rock’n’roll persona to reveal the woman behind the legend through rare and never-before-seen footage.
The singer, who performed at Monterey Pop in 1967, Woodstock in 1969, and Festival Express in 1970, died aged 27. The doc will include interviews with her family, friends and rock...
Content Film has secured worldwide sales to Amy Berg’s upcoming Janis Joplin documentary and will introducing the film to buyers at the Cannes market this month.
Berg, who has made feature documentaries including Deliver Us From Evil and West of Memphis, will direct and produce Janis: Little Girl Blue.
Alex Gibney, the Oscar-winning director of Taxi to the Dark Side and The Armstrong Lie, is producing under his Jigsaw Productions banner with Jeff Jampol from Jam, Inc. Billy McMillin is editing.
Currently in production, the documentary aims to strip away Joplin’s rock’n’roll persona to reveal the woman behind the legend through rare and never-before-seen footage.
The singer, who performed at Monterey Pop in 1967, Woodstock in 1969, and Festival Express in 1970, died aged 27. The doc will include interviews with her family, friends and rock...
- 5/1/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The heralded, award-winning 28-year-old franchise will begin to chronicle not only American masters but also “emerging American masters,” Michael Kantor said in a New York Times interview — industry speak for “targeting younger viewers.” The franchise will stop emphasizing important cultural figures important to the baby boom generation, Kantor told Nyt, which got first crack at the news. The series will redefine the word “masters” to include profiles of people in industry. Ditto science. That said, the series already has profiled Albert Einstein, as well as I.M. Pei, Billie Jean King, Walter Cronkite, etc. — in addition to more traditional subjects such as Arthur Miller, Georgia O’Keeffe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Leonard Bernstein, Sidney Poitier, Judy Garland, John James Audubon, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Guthrie, Jimi Hendrix, etc. Susan Lacy, who created American Masters in 1986, left to join HBO in September. Related: ‘American Masters’ Creator Susan Lacy Departs PBS For HBO Under Lacy’s watch,...
- 4/16/2014
- by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist
- Deadline TV
Projects by Stephan Elliott, The Babadook writer- director Jennifer Kent, Ben Elton, Rowan Woods, Trent O'Donnell and Jacqueline McKenzie are among the recipients of the latest round of development funding from Screen Australia.
The agency is investing more than $550,000 in 16 feature film projects, including 11 new ones and five that get continued support.
Screen Australia.s Head of Production Sally Caplan, said, .The funding decisions made in this last quarter reflect the breadth of stories coming out of this country and the depth of talent. It is great to be able to support such a spread of genres and ideas and such a range of established and emerging writing, directing and producing talent..
Elliott.s Madams is a comedy from the writers of Easy Virtue. Kent gets funding for Interior, a revenge thriller set in Tasmania in the 1820s.
Woods. The Phobos Experiment is a thriller in which people simulate training...
The agency is investing more than $550,000 in 16 feature film projects, including 11 new ones and five that get continued support.
Screen Australia.s Head of Production Sally Caplan, said, .The funding decisions made in this last quarter reflect the breadth of stories coming out of this country and the depth of talent. It is great to be able to support such a spread of genres and ideas and such a range of established and emerging writing, directing and producing talent..
Elliott.s Madams is a comedy from the writers of Easy Virtue. Kent gets funding for Interior, a revenge thriller set in Tasmania in the 1820s.
Woods. The Phobos Experiment is a thriller in which people simulate training...
- 4/11/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Comic book fans will have a great treat tonight.
PBS will air a three-hour block tonight dedicated to the program “Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle.”
The film is by the Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (“Broadway: The American Musical”).
It features interviews from Stan Lee, Adam West, Lynda Carter, Geoff Johns, Jeph Loeb, Michael Chabon, Jules Feiffer, Joe Simon and Jerry Robinson.
The program will be hosted and narrated by Liev Schreiber.
The documentary film will explore the dawn of the comic book genre and the evolution of the characters from the past 75 years with their ongoing lasting cultural impact.
It was originally going to premiere in three parts over three weeks. However, PBS will dedicate tonight starting at 8 p.m. to the documentary.
Part One, 8 Pm: “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” (1938-1958)
During the Depression, the popularity of dozens of superhero characters opens the door for a new generation of artists and writers.
PBS will air a three-hour block tonight dedicated to the program “Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle.”
The film is by the Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (“Broadway: The American Musical”).
It features interviews from Stan Lee, Adam West, Lynda Carter, Geoff Johns, Jeph Loeb, Michael Chabon, Jules Feiffer, Joe Simon and Jerry Robinson.
The program will be hosted and narrated by Liev Schreiber.
The documentary film will explore the dawn of the comic book genre and the evolution of the characters from the past 75 years with their ongoing lasting cultural impact.
It was originally going to premiere in three parts over three weeks. However, PBS will dedicate tonight starting at 8 p.m. to the documentary.
Part One, 8 Pm: “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” (1938-1958)
During the Depression, the popularity of dozens of superhero characters opens the door for a new generation of artists and writers.
- 10/15/2013
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
We told you last month about the PBS special presentation Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle that would be premiering in October, and tonight’s the night! Tuesday nights are pretty jam-packed for Our Kind of Viewing, but this one looks like it should get some priority.
We have a TV spot and the clip from the first hour to get you primed, and the press release is included again below so you’ll get the full details, including the info on the accompanying book and Blu-ray.
Here’s a quick scheduling note: After the initial broadcast the three hours are broken into three one-hour parts and have slightly different titles, though at least in my area they will still be aired one right after the other. So if you’re thinking of DVR-ing it, check the titles and time carefully so you don’t miss out on any of the three hours.
We have a TV spot and the clip from the first hour to get you primed, and the press release is included again below so you’ll get the full details, including the info on the accompanying book and Blu-ray.
Here’s a quick scheduling note: After the initial broadcast the three hours are broken into three one-hour parts and have slightly different titles, though at least in my area they will still be aired one right after the other. So if you’re thinking of DVR-ing it, check the titles and time carefully so you don’t miss out on any of the three hours.
- 10/15/2013
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
(Cbr) Despite the seemingly exponential popularity of superheroes in pop culture -- "Iron Man 3" and "The Avengers" both grossed more than a billion dollars each the previous two summers -- there are still many out there who don't necessarily take the genre very seriously. (There are still articles out there being written with "Bam! Pow!" in their headlines or intro paragraphs, after all.) The "Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle" documentary airing on PBS Tuesday, Oct. 15, is the latest effort to start changing those attitudes. Directed by Michael Kantor and co-written by Kantor and Lawrence Maslon (they previously teamed on "Make...
- 10/10/2013
- by Albert Ching, Comic Book Resources
- Hitfix
Click the Above Title to read the Full Story.... PBS Announces “Superheroes Night” On October 15th – Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle to be shown in one three-hour programming block, beginning at 8pm Et (check local listings) – Arlington, Va; September 5, 2013 – PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is “Superheroes Night,” featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program Superheroes: A Never-ending Battle. The newest film from Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (Broadway: The American Musical; Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business Of America) will premiere at 8:00 p.m. Et and include insightful interviews from Stan Lee; actors Adam West (TV’s “Batman”) and Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”); Geoff Johns (chief creative officer, DC Comics), Jeph Loeb (head of television for Marvel Entertainment); Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and cartoonist/author Jules Feiffer (the long-running strip “Feiffer”), as well as appearances by the late comic...
- 9/12/2013
- by Matt MacNabb
- Legions of Gotham
The circus tent of geekdom encompasses an infinite number of interests, but when the brainy geeks are also the superhero fan geeks, what do you get? This bit of wonderfulness: a PBS miniseries on superheroes entitled Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle. Three episodes, all in one night, narrated by the excellent Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Salt). And just wait until you see the list of people involved.
There will also be a book and a Blu-ray/DVD released in conjunction with the all-in-one-night miniseries; here are the details, followed by links to pre-order the book and the Blu-ray:
PBS Announces “Superheroes Night” On October 15th – Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle to be shown in one three-hour programming block, beginning at 8pm Et (check local listings) –
Arlington, Va; September 5, 2013 – PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is “Superheroes Night,” featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program Superheroes: A Never-ending Battle. The...
There will also be a book and a Blu-ray/DVD released in conjunction with the all-in-one-night miniseries; here are the details, followed by links to pre-order the book and the Blu-ray:
PBS Announces “Superheroes Night” On October 15th – Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle to be shown in one three-hour programming block, beginning at 8pm Et (check local listings) –
Arlington, Va; September 5, 2013 – PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is “Superheroes Night,” featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program Superheroes: A Never-ending Battle. The...
- 9/5/2013
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TCA coverage. Public Broadcasting made its first trip to Comic-Con earlier this summer with Sherlock and during the PBS portion of TCA, president and CEO Paula Kerger said “we look forward to going back.” PBS also appears to be wooing the Comic-Con crowd with Superheroes: A Never Ending Battle, a new documentary series tracing the history of comic heroes. On today’s panel, executive producer Michael Kantor offered the obligatory comment that the project is meant to appeal to ages “8 to 88.” Afterwards, he admitted to Deadline that PBS is at least in part looking for the audience that has “a strong niche in social media” with this project. Kantor said PBS is “thrilled” that the program, which went into production 3 years ago, is coming out “when superheroes are peaking.” But the producer added the project s received funding from both federal agencies National Endowment...
- 8/7/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
PBS announced today that Liev Schreiber ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Showtime's "Ray Donovan") will host and narrate its upcoming documentary series "Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle." In the "Superheroes" panel at this week's Comic-Con, the audience will get a sneak peek at the series and hear a discussion with panelists including Emmy-winning filmmaker Michael Kantor ("Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America," "Broadway: The American Musical"), series co-writer Laurence Maslon, acclaimed comic book writer Gerry Conway (co-creator of the "Punisher") and writer Mark Waid ("Kingdom Come," "The Flash")."Superheroes" examines the dawn of the comic book genre and the cultural impact of the comics and their characters. It chronicles the history of comic books from their creation 75 years ago by the patriotic children of immigrants to the multi-billion-dollar industry that it is today. Among the onscreen personalities in the series are Stan Lee, Adam West,...
- 7/16/2013
- by Madeline Raynor
- Indiewire
Friday’s Comic-Con schedule has landed! And it’s totally packed with action, from Simon Pegg’s latest The World’s End panel to a special Veronica Mars presentation.
In case you missed it, click here to see Thursday’s schedule and below you’ll see Friday’s TV and movie highlights. For more info and the complete schedule head over to the official Comic-Con site.
10:00am-11:00am, Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Cartoon Network: Regular Show: Care to join the not so regular cast and crew for an eventful hour of over the top regular?...
In case you missed it, click here to see Thursday’s schedule and below you’ll see Friday’s TV and movie highlights. For more info and the complete schedule head over to the official Comic-Con site.
10:00am-11:00am, Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Cartoon Network: Regular Show: Care to join the not so regular cast and crew for an eventful hour of over the top regular?...
- 7/5/2013
- by Sandra Gonzalez
- EW.com - PopWatch
ABC rock musical drama The Boy Castaways has finished filming in South Australia.
The drama, which was recently shooting at Her Majesty.s Theatre in Adelaide,.is one of the first to be financed through the Hive Production Fund and features musical talent such as Tim Rogers from You am I, cabaret star Paul Capsis, and Aria Award-winner, Megan Washington.
The feature will have its premiere at the 2013 Adelaide Film Festival (held October 10-20) and will then be broadcast on ABC1.
The $600,000 Hive Production Fund (later lifted to $800,000) also supported two other screen projects in late-2011 which will premiere at the 2013 Adelaide Film Festival: Tender, a documentary from director Lynette Wallworth (visual artist) and producer Kath Shelper (Samson and Delilah), and I Want to Dance Better at Parties, from creative director Gideon Obazarnek (ex Chunky Move artistic director) and director Matthew Bate (Shut Up Little Man).
The Hive Labs bring together Australian artists across film,...
The drama, which was recently shooting at Her Majesty.s Theatre in Adelaide,.is one of the first to be financed through the Hive Production Fund and features musical talent such as Tim Rogers from You am I, cabaret star Paul Capsis, and Aria Award-winner, Megan Washington.
The feature will have its premiere at the 2013 Adelaide Film Festival (held October 10-20) and will then be broadcast on ABC1.
The $600,000 Hive Production Fund (later lifted to $800,000) also supported two other screen projects in late-2011 which will premiere at the 2013 Adelaide Film Festival: Tender, a documentary from director Lynette Wallworth (visual artist) and producer Kath Shelper (Samson and Delilah), and I Want to Dance Better at Parties, from creative director Gideon Obazarnek (ex Chunky Move artistic director) and director Matthew Bate (Shut Up Little Man).
The Hive Labs bring together Australian artists across film,...
- 1/17/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
As Sir Robin carols merrily to King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot, 'In any great adventure, if you don't want to lose...you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.' Broadway Musicals A Jewish Legacy is a new, 90-minute documentary by Michael Kantor, creator of the Emmy-winning series, Broadway The American Musical. The special just aired on Great Performances yesterday, January 1 on PBS. Click below to watch...
- 1/2/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
If one didn't know the melodies, the connections would not necessarily be made."Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy," airing on PBS' "Great Performances" Tuesday, Jan. 1 (check local listings), shows the very strong link between Jewish music and the sometimes mournful, sometimes joyful tunes that have dominated the Great White Way from the beginning.
"This isn't really a Jewish story," the filmmaker, Michael Kantor -- who also made the Emmy-winning "Broadway: The American Musical" -- tells Zap2it. "It is Jewish in the sense that [it] is exploring this phenomenon of this handful of writers, but they created an American art form. Only a few art forms are considered uniquely American -- jazz, abstract expressionism and the Broadway musical. So anything that deals with how these art forms came about deals with who we are as a nation.
"The Broadway musical is an amalgam of lots of different things," Kantor continues. "It is also incredibly entertaining.
"This isn't really a Jewish story," the filmmaker, Michael Kantor -- who also made the Emmy-winning "Broadway: The American Musical" -- tells Zap2it. "It is Jewish in the sense that [it] is exploring this phenomenon of this handful of writers, but they created an American art form. Only a few art forms are considered uniquely American -- jazz, abstract expressionism and the Broadway musical. So anything that deals with how these art forms came about deals with who we are as a nation.
"The Broadway musical is an amalgam of lots of different things," Kantor continues. "It is also incredibly entertaining.
- 1/1/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
By Eddy Friedfeld
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When asked why most of Sid Caesar’s writers were young and Jewish, the late’ great Larry Gelbart replied, “Because most of our parents were old and Jewish.”
The answer to why there were so many Jews in Broadway musicals may not be as glibly succinct, but in Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy, which debuts on PBS on January 1 at 9:30 p.m., the answers are insightful and amazingly entertaining.
Written, produced and directed by Emmy-Award Winner Michael Kantor (Broadway- The American Musical and Make ‘Em Laugh- The Funny Business of America), the 90 minute documentary tries to answer the question of why the Broadway musical proven to be such fertile territory for Jewish artists of all kind, featuring icons from Broadway’s golden age, including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, the Gershwins, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim...
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
When asked why most of Sid Caesar’s writers were young and Jewish, the late’ great Larry Gelbart replied, “Because most of our parents were old and Jewish.”
The answer to why there were so many Jews in Broadway musicals may not be as glibly succinct, but in Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy, which debuts on PBS on January 1 at 9:30 p.m., the answers are insightful and amazingly entertaining.
Written, produced and directed by Emmy-Award Winner Michael Kantor (Broadway- The American Musical and Make ‘Em Laugh- The Funny Business of America), the 90 minute documentary tries to answer the question of why the Broadway musical proven to be such fertile territory for Jewish artists of all kind, featuring icons from Broadway’s golden age, including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, the Gershwins, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim...
- 12/30/2012
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
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